Conduit receptacle



oct. 13, 1931. J, COLYITZ 1,826,708

coNDUIT REcEPTAcLE Filed Jan. 21, 1930 H lmw Patented Oct. 13, 1931y PATENT oFFlcE JACOB COLITZ, F CBKIGAGO,` ILLINOIS CONDUIT RECEPTACLE Application med January 21, 1930. semi 'No.42a3so. Y

My invention relates to conduits employed for electric wiring in buildings, and more particularly to the receptacles employed tery minally of such conduits to adapt them for an outlet unit, and my main objectv is to provide a novel arrangement in connection with the assembly of the receptacle with the' conduits and the outlet unit whereby to do away with threading, locking means or othercomplicated parts for fastening the conduits to the outlet unit. e

A further object of the invention is to design the receptacles in units'adapted for conduits sin-gly or in pairs, as the case may be.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a basic support for the conduit receptacles with means for quickly and firmly attaching the latter whereby to hold the conduit in place.

Another object of the invention is to design the basic receptacle support with means for readily securing the same to the outlet unit. f

An additional object of the invention is to provide intermediate means whereby to adapt a receptacle to an outlet opening of greater dimensions than ordinarily suitable for the receptacle. A linal but nevertheless important object of the invention is to design the novel assembly on lines of simplicity, economy and for ease of handling.

With the above objects in View and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is an elevation showing a terminal grouping of conduits as secured bythe novel receptacle means;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the in-. stallatien, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is a plan view;

Fiagl is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure l Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4; c

Fig. Q6 is a perspective view of a single 50 receptacle; and y f v Fig. 7 is an elevation, partly in section of an assembly` wherein thek novel ,l adapting means is interposed.'

In the art of cement ceiling construction in modernfbuildings, it is necessary .that ther outlet plate for electric wiring leads through the masonry be placed before theconcrete is poured. The wiring is enclosed in conduits which extend horizontally between the ceiling and the floor above, and take bends at the site of the outlet plate and in the direction of the latter, then being secured to the outlet plate. The ceiling form' for the concrete is composed of improvised layers of boards, and it is to one of these that the outlet plate is nailed to hold its place. As shown in Figures 2 and 3,v a plate of this kind is circular and cup shaped, the plate l() havinga downward ring flange 10a which 70 rests on the form board not shown). When the conduits llhave been properly joined tothe outlet plate 10, the concrete is poured as indicated at 12 to embed the entire assembly above the form boards, so that when the latter are removed, the inside of the outlet plate-will appear in the ceiling. In order that I Lmay avoid the use of all threads and other accessory fastening means for the conduits, I have designed sheet metal .casings 13 for the same, extending the sides thereof with vopposed flanges 13a, perforated in registration as indicated at 13b and seen more clearly in Figure 6 to constitute the casings as clamps whena bolt 14 and nut l5 are used to draw the casing flanges together. The casings Hare slightly toward the top for facility in inserting the conduits. To guard against the withdrawal of any con duits from the casings due to vibration and also to establish a firm electrical contact between the parts, I indent the casing as indicated at 13a to present downward spurs 13d on the inside, which dig into the relatively softer met-al of the conduit as the casing is clamped, lockingr the conduit against retraction. The casings are of a tubular nature and open at both ends, and near the lower end each is annularly indented as indicated at 13e to present an internal bead which stops the advance of the conduit 11 as the latter is inserted, pro viding a support for the end of the conduit until the clamping of the same is effected. lVliile the casing is open where the flanges extend, it is in full and rigid form below the wings. lith the conduit clamped as described, it is necessary that means be furnished to secure the clamped conduit to the outlet plate 10. I provide such means in the form ot a block 16 ot prism or similar shape, and which is adapted to rest upon the outlet plate. As indicated in Figure 4, the block is longitudinally drilled with a horizontal bore 16a through which the bolt 14 is passed from one end to receive the nut 15. at the other end. The bolt receives a washer 17 next to the head. Thilo the block 16 may form a support for but a single conduit receptacle 13 of the type shown in Figure 6. it is more probable that a plurality of receptacles will be required owing to the prevalent use of one outlet plate for more than one conduit. Thus, the receptacle may be extended laterally in dual or twin formation, as indicated clearly in Figure 3, with the sheet metal formed from one piece and its ends spaced as shown. The metal flange is placed against the end of the block 16 and, of course, made with the aperture 13b as previously men tioned; but the ends denoting the outer flange may be notched as indicated at 1355 in Figure 2 to provide clearance for the bolt shank. Thus, with a dual receptacle unit at one end of the block 16 and like one at the other end thereof. accommodation is had for the disposal of four conduits. yet` when less than this number ot conduits are had. but one single or dual receptacle unit is necessary. As noted. the washer 17 and .the nut 1,5 are elongated vertically (see Figure 4), so that they may be confined between the receptacles and therefore prevented from turn ing as the bolt 14 is adiusted, saving*`r the need of a wrench or special attention in this respeet; also the longation of the washer and nut cause the saine to secure the outer flanges of the casings along a greater area.

The standard outlet plate is made with four large holes 105 corresponding iu size and position with the conduits of Figure with a central opening 10c; and with smaller apertures lil/Z diametrically arranged opposite the opening 10c. Also, beyond the apertures 1051 are apertures 10c, but I make no use ot the latter apertures. Relative to the latter aper tures, I extend the bottom of the block 16 laterally with tongues 16?) which are perforated at 16o. Further, I extend the block 16 downwardly with a neck portion 16u', a collar 16e, and a threaded nipple 16j'. The latter is of a size to receive the lamp or other fixture designed to be hung from the outlet plate, and the collar 16 is of a dimension to easily pass through the opening 10c in the outlet plate as it is lowered therethrough to seat the block on the plate. However, I prefer to peripherally thread the collar for facility otl insertion in instances where the opening 10c is smaller or has an internal burr or obstruction. The collar is fully eccentric relative to the neck portion 16d and the nipple 16f, so that when the block is shifted in the direction of the greater prominence of the collar, the latter will hook under the stock of the plate adjoining the opening 10c as clearly shown in Figure 2 and therefore lock the block from being again raised. This provides aV connection between the block and the outlet plate which is inte- `gral with the block vet positive and without the necessity of any extra parts or appliances which may lit improperly or get out of order. In order that the locked Condition of the block may be maintained, I apply a screw 18 downward through the aperture 16e of that block tongue 16D which is remote from the collar 16e. The aperture in the tongue is so placed that the screw will enter the outlet plate l0 along the outward edge of the correspoudin g aperture 10d with some friction, .so that as the screw 18 is advanced the neck portion 16 of the block is forced in the engaging direct-ion ot the collar 16e whereby to bear firmly against the stock of the outlet plate and oppose influences to separate or turn the block. However, should it be necessary to turn the block for the adjustment ofthe collar 16e for any other purpose, I eilt the top of the block with a transverse groove 16g to receive a screw driver or similar tool by means of which the block may be turned in case the collar 16e must be screwed through the plate opening. With the block secured as previ ously described, it is ready to receive the pourine of concrete which permanently fixes it in the position to which it has been set.

It will be noted in Figure 2 that the receptacles 13 are as units at a remote site from the central securing area of the block 1 6.` and that each of them passes down through the corresponding opening 10b in a size suitable for such opening. In some cases, however, a particular opening may be much larger than a given conduit receptacle, in which case an adapter must be provided to fill the annular gap so occasioned. In Figure 7 I show such an adapter in the form of a short nut 19 which is amply large to cover thc special opening and is internally tapped to be run on to the threaded end 13e ot' the conduit. l` he nut 19 has aI short tubular reduction 19eI externally threaded as the collar 16e-and for the same purpose-and passing down through the opening in the plate, the 'end of this reduction being smoothly finished 0r rounded to present no sharp or rough edges to the wire led through the same. The upper end of the nut 19 presents a ledge upon which the receptacle 13 is rested as shown. The conduit is thus definitely located relative to the larger plate opening, and is held down by the receptacle in the same manner as previously described.

It will be seen that the novel receptacle installation provides an efficient intermediary between the conduits and the outlet plate. With the conduits and outlet plate standard as to dimensions, the novel receptacle may be made by machine means to fit as installed, so that the assembly may be effected easily and rapidly. No delicate parts are involved to get out of order or become lost; and the parts ivolved are of a simple and rugged nature, so 4as to be handled by the average mechanic without suffering injury or danger. The method of applying and installing the receptacle assembly is of a nature to become familiar to the mechanic after a few trials,

so that further installations may be made rapidly and Without special effort. Finally, the material and manufacturing methods entering into the construction of the novel receptacle are such as to make rapid and economical manufacture of the product easily possible.

I claim:

tion of a conduit and the perforated outlet plate therefor', comprising a block applied n'ledially to the upper surface of the plate, a conduit receptacle comprising a jacket adapted to receive an end portion of the'conduit, said jacket having perforated wings extended in opposed relation from the sides thereof, and securing means applied to the wings and the block to contract the jacket upon the conduit and secure the acket to the block.

2. An intermediary between the end portion of a conduit and the perforated outlet plate therefor, comprising a block applied medially to the upper surface of the plate, a conduit receptacle comprising a jacket adapted to receive an end portion of the conduit, said jacket having perforated wings eX- tended in opposed relation. from the sides thereof, and a bolt directed through the wing perforations into the block to contract the jacket upon the conduit and secure the jacket to the block. c

3. A dual conduit receptacle comprising a support, a jacket adjacent each end of the latter and adapted to each receive an'end portion `of a conduit, opposed and perforated wings extended from the jackets opposite the respective ends thereof, a bolt applied by way L of the perforations in one set of Wings and i. An intermediary between the end pory through th-e supportto penetrate the other set of Wings, and a nut applied to the bolt outside the latter.

4t. The structure of claim 3, said jackets and wings being elongated in conformity with the conduits, and said nut being made oblong to correspond, an d a washer inwardly of the bolt head, the washer also being oblong in the longitudinal direction of the wings to which it is applied.

5. An intermediary between the end portions of conduits and the perforated outlet plate therefor, comprising a block applied medially to the upper surface of the plate, and conduit receptacles carried by the block, said receptacles being positioned to register with the perforations in the plate.

6. An intermediary between the end porn tions of conduits and the perforated outlet plate therefor, comprising a block applied medially of the plate, and conduit receptacles carried by the block, said receptacles being positioned to register with the perforations in the plate, said receptacles also being extended to pass through the plate.

7 An intermediary between the end portions of conduits and the perforated outlet plate therefor, comprising a block applied medially of the plate, and conduit receptacles carried by the block, said receptacles being positioned. to register with the perforations in the'plate, and a nipple suitable as a fixture support extended from the block through a perforation in the plate.

8. An intermediary between the end portions of conduits and the perforated outlet plate therefor, comprising a block applied medially of the plate, and conduit receptacles carried by the block, said receptacles being positioned to register with the perforations in the plate, and means to lock the block against separation from the plate.

9. An intermediary between the end portions of conduits and the perforated outlet plate therefor. comprising a block applied medially of the plate, conduit receptacles lcarried by the block, said receptacles being positioned to register with the perforations in the plate, a neck depending from the block through a plate perforation` and a laterallyextended enlargement carried by the neck and adapted to engage the under side of the plate adjacent to the perforation by a correspending movement of the block whereby to lock the block to the plate.

l0. The structure of claim 9, said enlargement being a periphera-lly-threaded eccentric of a diameter passable through the plate perforation.

1l. The structure of claim 9, a base extension of the block opposite the plate, and fastening means directed from said extension into the plate, said fastening means being effective when the block is in a position with Y its enlargement engaged as Specified.

12. The structure of claim 9, a base eX- tension of the block opposite the plate, and a screw directed from said extension into a. perforation of the plate, said screw exercising a l Wedg'ing ei'i'or" against the outer Wall of its perforation when the block is in a position with its enlargement engaged as specified with the eli'eet ef urging the block in the engaging direetion of the enlargement.

13. The Structure of claim 9, Said enlargement being- Circular and peripherally threaded, and said block being recessed for the application of a tool to turn the same.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

i6 JACOB COLITZ. 

